After Sheng Jun Chapter 35 (Part 1)
Translated by Sylver (ko-fi)
Chapter 35 Bit by Bit Excavation (part 1)
Jiang Xingzhi turned his head, "What's the point of telling you?"
When he turned, Zhong Ming realized that not only were his ears red, but the corners of his eyes were also crimson. Under the dappled sunlight, his eyes rippled like a spring pool. Zhong Ming felt an even stronger itch in his heart and coaxed him, "Sword cultivators understand each other best. Tell me about it, and I'll give you some advice."
Jiang Xingzhi's expression immediately turned strange: ...What kind of intimate girlfriends' conversation was this?
"You want to advise me?"
Zhong Ming said, "It's also a good opportunity to understand your preferences."
"..." Jiang Xingzhi shamefully wavered.
He had hidden his crush so deeply that he had never discussed matters of the heart with anyone. Besides... Bai Mu and he were from two different time-spaces, so these words would never reach Xu Jian's ears anyway.
Why not just talk about it?
He cleared his throat, his gaze returning to the mountain steps ahead, "I want to appreciate the moon and flowers together, drink wine on boats. Preferably hugging and embracing, being intimate."
Zhong Ming's eyes flickered slightly, "Hmm, and then?"
Jiang Xingzhi feigned calmness as he walked upward, "I also like his hands, so broad and warm, with some sword calluses. I want... him to touch my face, call my name."
He tried his best to appear composed, but his stutter revealed his not-so-calm feelings. He recalled the scene from the Great Sky Illusionary Realm: Xu Jian holding him so tightly, his heartbeat rapid, his hands so warm, the rough fingertips making his heart tingle with numbness...
"What else?" came a somewhat hoarse voice from beside him.
Jiang Xingzhi didn't notice, still immersed in his memories, his mind full of Xu Jian's swaying figure, "He has a good physique... I want to bathe in hot springs together, bare ourselves to each other."
Once he had rushed into Fu Qing Mountain and caught Xu Jian shirtless, practicing sword under a waterfall. He glimpsed the other's physique—tight abs, smooth lines—clearly showing powerful core strength.
Unfortunately, to hide his embarrassment then, he immediately swung his sword at the person. Xu Jian quickly wrapped himself in outer robes to fight with him, and those abs were just a fleeting vision.
Next time, he definitely wanted to poke them to see how firm they felt.
….
The two walked slowly along the stone steps.
Zhong Ming looked sideways at Jiang Xingzhi, whose face was even redder than before. Lost in thought about something, the latter pursed his lips, his lowered eyelashes revealing hints of spring desire, emotions stirring.
Zhong Ming's throat moved, and he suddenly asked hoarsely, "Do you want to become dao companions?"
His voice was magnetic and pleasant, as if teasing.
Jiang Xingzhi's heart quickened, and he reflexively replied, "Of course I want to, otherwise how would I------"
Zhong Ming, "How would you what?"
Jiang Xingzhi, "...Nothing."
But Zhong Ming suddenly smiled, as if he could read minds, "Otherwise how would you kiss, embrace, and do this and that?"
Damn! This was the excuse he had previously used to reject Bai Mu.
Now being mentioned again, and precisely hitting his thoughts, Jiang Xingzhi felt his face burning.
He abruptly turned to stare at Zhong Ming, attempting to cover his embarrassment with volume, "How's your advice coming along? Do sword cultivators like these things?!"
Seeing him bristle, Zhong Ming suppressed his smile and reassured him, "Sword cultivators especially like these things."
Jiang Xingzhi was half-convinced, "Really?"
"Really." Zhong Ming's gaze softened as he looked at him and said, "Whatever the person they like wants, they'll definitely like it too."
Hearing this, Jiang Xingzhi became melancholic, "Then it won't work, he doesn't like me anyway."
Nonsense, he actually likes you desperately. Zhong Ming said, "How do you know he doesn't like you?"
"Every time we meet, he always fights with me and mocks me."
Is that so? Zhong Ming frowned, "What does he mock you about?"
Jiang Xingzhi, "He says my head is full of water."
Zhong Ming blurted out, "That's not mockery." It's the truth!
"........."
There was a moment of silence on the forest mountain steps.
Zhong Ming, "..." Oh no.
He tried to remedy the situation, "That's slander."
A deep, contemplative gaze lingered on him for a while. With a wide sweep of his sleeve, Jiang Xingzhi turned and stepped onto the stone stairs, leaving him with a cold, distant back.
"You're dismissed, Bai Mu."
All sword cultivators are indeed the same!
****
Zhong Ming's self-justification continued until the two reached the mountain.
Halfway up the mountain, before reaching the peak, there was a circular practice ground for cultivation and sparring.
When Jiang Xingzhi turned into the practice ground, Wu Jie, Zhu Yan, and Zhu Xu were gathered, discussing something. Hearing the movement, they all turned their heads, "Sect Master, Protector Bai!"
Wu Jie noticed that Jiang Xingzhi had several strands of hair standing up, looking bristled, and understood inwardly. He secretly glanced at Zhong Ming standing beside him:
They haven't even become one yet, who knows what mischief they're up to.
"What are you discussing?" Jiang Xingzhi walked over.
"Reporting to Sect Master, we're discussing recruitment," Zhu Xu opened his little notebook, filled with detailed notes. "During the time we were in the secret realm, we already received seven or eight applications."
Jiang Xingzhi reached out to take the notebook and scanned it, "Then let's arrange an entrance test as soon as possible. Once we have recruited people, we can start taking commissions."
He looked around as he spoke, "Look how poor we are, practically destitute."
A tall figure leaned close beside him. Zhong Ming showed off, "I have money, plenty of it."
Jiang Xingzhi lectured him, "We still can't just eat away at our resources. Wealth is created by our own hands!"
Zhong Ming went along with him, "Well said."
After saying this, he reached out to take the notebook back and return it to Zhu Xu, "Quick, write it down. Our Sect Master has spoken words of wisdom."
Zhu Xu diligently bent his head to write.
Jiang Xingzhi, "..." Can you even talk properly anymore?
The recruitment matter was fully entrusted to the Zhu brothers.
Zhu Yan had previously stayed at Qijue Tower and had experience managing sects. Wu Jie held multiple positions, handling both internal supply and external contracts, so he would not participate in recruitment matters this time.
Although not participating, he still had tasks assigned.
Jiang Xingzhi calculated, "Master, when you go out to tell fortunes, please also promote our Kunlun Sect and encourage everyone to join us."
This proposal was quite self-serving, but Wu Jie readily agreed, appearing determined to promote Kunlun Sect, "Of course."
Jiang Xingzhi was gratified, "Master is a sensible person."
With all sect matters arranged, Jiang Xingzhi was about to leave after making his rounds when Zhong Ming called out to him, "Wait."
"What is it?"
Zhong Ming turned to Wu Jie and the others, "Where can we find the best alchemist in the Three Realms?"
Jiang Xingzhi scrutinized his expression, "Are you sick? No wonder you seemed off today."
"..." Zhong Ming was nearly out of patience with this person. He gave Jiang Xingzhi a helpless look, "It's to repair your damaged body."
Jiang Xingzhi suddenly realized: The spider lily for repairing fragmented souls!
Wu Jie responded, "This poor Daoist has only heard that the master of Wanyao Valley is highly skilled in medicine, and Lord Minshuang of Piaomiao Palace is a famous alchemy master."
Zhu Yan thought carefully, "It depends on what kind of medicine the Sect Master needs. Some special pills can only be concocted by demon cultivators and ghost cultivators."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Xingzhi felt lazy, "How troublesome." He nudged Zhong Ming with his arm, "Why don't we forget it? I think that flower works fine as an ornamental plant too."
He said this casually, but afterward saw Zhong Ming frown, "Don't be foolish. Don't joke about your own body."
Among the three people opposite, Wu Jie's expression remained unreadable.
Zhu Yan and Zhu Xu secretly exchanged glances: Protector Bai, who usually indulges the Sect Master in everything, actually has times when he puts on a stern face.